Music
The Cambridge Course
The Course
The Cambridge Music Tripos is intended to deepen your understanding of music and its historical and cultural context, and to help you gain fundamental skills in writing and analysing music. The core of the course involves studies in history, analysis and compositional techniques. During your three years you will have an increasing amount of free choice in the subjects you study, as well as the opportunity to explore aspects of music that will probably be unfamiliar, such as notation and ethnomusicology. Although many music students at Cambridge want to enter the music profession in one guise or another, the course provides a broad education for those who take up other occupations.
In the first year (Part IA), you study six subjects, all of them examined at the end of the year. Two concentrate on technical skills: writing harmony and counterpoint. Two more involve music history: the precise topics vary from year to year. The final two subjects are Analysis, which deals with music from 1700 to 1830 and Practical Musicianship, which develops your skills in aural and keyboard.
In the second year (Part IB) you study five subjects. The Portfolio of Tonal Compositions and Analysis and Repertoire (this time of music from 1830 to the present) are compulsory. You can then choose the other three subjects from a wide-ranging list. In the third year (Part II) you study six subjects, at least two of which need to be examined by a three-hour written examination.
Click below to view the complete Tripos Guide to Courses 2007-08.
Tripos 2007-08 (Word Document)
Tripos 2007-08 (PDF)
The Music School is situated in West Road.
Studying Music
at Clare
Teaching takes all forms:
lectures (formal instruction given by members of the
Music Faculty Staff), seminars (smaller groups supervised
by Faculty Lecturers but involving student participation), Faculty
classes for keyboard and aural training, and College-based supervisions
(informal, but intensive discussion in small groups). Supervisions
are arranged by the Director of Studies and may involve a number
of teachers drawn from different Colleges. They are held in the
supervisors' own rooms, either singly or in groups of two to six
students. Supervisions are given in all subjects being studied
for the Tripos and represent the core of work done during the
term. Essays, and exercises in harmony, counterpoint and composition,
etc, are set and marked on a weekly basis. Music students have access
both to the University Library and to the Pendlebury Library in
the Faculty. The Pendlebury is one of the best equipped music
faculty libraries in the country, containing a full range of complete
editions, miniature scores, sheet music and music text books,
as well as an excellent library of tapes and CDs. There are video-tape
facilities and listening booths for recorded music. Clare College,
situated close to both the University Library and the Pendlebury,
has a well-stocked Tripos-orientated music section in the Forbes
Mellon Library.
Admission Requirements
Clare College wishes
to attract undergraduates who have a serious interest in a Tripos
course that is primarily academic. A reasonable keyboard facility
(Grade VIII) is expected from all candidates, but applicants need
not necessarily be specialist performers (music interviews will
be concerned with testing academic rather than practical aptitude).
On the other hand, a keen involvement in musical activity outside
the confines of the Tripos is well regarded. Current undergraduates
have interests in composition as well as in vocal and instrumental
performance. The nature of the Music Tripos course, which involves
only a limited amount of time spent on lectures and supervisions,
is best suited to well-organised and self-motivated students.
Offers for Music are
usually made on the basis of A2-level examination
results, a typical offer being A*AA or 7,7,6 (40+ overall) in the IB or the equivalent in other educational systems.
One subject must be Music (not Music Technology). A basic knowledge of harmony, counterpoint
and analytical skills, such as can be studied at A2 level, is
a distinct advantage. Any combination of subjects is acceptable. Although the study of a foreign language (eg. French, German
or Italian) is desirable, it is not obligatory.
Notes on Music
Interviews at Clare College
Applicants will
have two interviews in the second or third week of December, which will be concerned with musical and non-musical interests. Certain
tests, as described below, will be given, including a written
paper. The interviews will involve five main elements:
-
An opportunity to perform on the candidate's first
instrument, or to sing. Lack of time will only permit
a short performance (maximum 5 minutes).
-
Discussion of a short extract of music (prepared).
On arrival at Clare, candidates will be handed a piece of music
(from the classical period) to analyse. At the interview he/she
will be asked both about its formal organisation and its thematic,
harmonic and rhythmic structure. Commentary on any points of
particular interest will also be invited.
-
Aural tests. These will consist of identification
of notes within a chord, and dictation of a piece of harmony
(probably a short, four-part section of a Bach chorale).
-
Keyboard tests. These will involve harmonising
a simple melody at sight, reading a slow passage for string
quartet from open score and sightreading. Potential and teachability
is among the qualities tested.
-
General discussion. In the interviews there
will be an opportunity to display not only general academic
knowledge of music but also candidates' particular interests
within the subject. The candidates will also be given a chance
to ask about the Music Tripos, teaching methods and so on.
NB: Pianos are available
for the use of candidates whilst at Clare College for interview.
Written paper
Candidates will be asked to sit an hour-long paper during their
visit to Cambridge. There will be one question, the harmonization
of a melody in a free style (i.e not necessarily in four parts)
or the completion of the lower three parts of a Bach chorale. NB
Please note that a keyboard will not be available for this paper.
Coursework/Composition
Candidates should send, in advance of their interview, one example
of a recently completed (and marked) essay, and also a harmony
exercise (also marked). Original compositions may also be sent
in support of applications.
Fellows in Music
at Clare College
Further information
about the Music Tripos, the teaching of Music at Clare and admissions
for Music candidates to the College may be obtained from the Admissions Office. |
